Nanny and the Professor (7 page)

Cassie coughed into her fist again and rubbed her throat with her other hand before beginning, "Believe it or not, Andy hasn't–"

"Don't bother trying to explain your way out of this," Joshua Kingston interrupted harshly. "I specifically instructed you that Andrew was not to be outside. I specifically instructed you that Andrew was not to play with neighborhood children. And I specifically stated on the list of restrictions that Andrew was not to use the pool."

Cassie drew her shoulders back in defense. "But–"

"No buts, Ms. Simmons," he blared at her. "How could you even think about taking these children near the water when you can't swim a stroke? Have you lost your mind?"

Realizing his misconstruction of the situation, Cassie stood and took a step toward him. "Professor Kings–"

"Do you realize that if I hadn't arrived when I did, you probably would have drowned?" Joshua Kingston tried to stuff his hands into the pockets of his sopping wet dress trousers. When he failed, he expelled an angry curse and slapped his palm against his thigh in obvious frustration. "Andrew could have drowned. Or him..." His angry eyes fastened on Eric. "Who
are
you, anyway?" Without waiting for an answer, Joshua snapped, "Go home, young man."

Eric glanced nervously at his sister and then back at the man who had shouted at him.

"Do as I say," Joshua demanded. "Get your things and go."

Pale with fright, Eric's eyes welled with tears, and Cassie's fierce motherly instinct roared inside her like a wild animal. What gave this man the right to think he could shout at her brother this way?

"Professor Kingston, Eric is my brother," she told him, holding tight to her simmering anger. "I tried to tell you about him Friday before you rushed off, but I didn't get the chance to explain. I'm Eric's guardian. Where I live, he lives."

Confusion passed fleetingly across Joshua's features but it was overcome finally by the deep, troubled scowl that settled in the middle of his forehead. "I see," he said, but it was evident from the tone of his voice that he didn't like it.

Cassie turned her attention to the boys, her calm exterior belying the turmoil she felt at having blurted out an explanation about her brother. "It looks as though Professor Kingston and I have some things to discuss. I'd like for you two to go upstairs and change into some dry clothes and get out a quiet game."

The boys glanced at the formidable man who stood
towering
a few feet from them before exchanging a look of indecision.

"It's okay," Cassie assured them. "Go on. And don't forget to hang your trunks and towels in the bathroom."

She watched the boys grab their towels and hurry into the house. She turned to Joshua. Those deep brown eyes of his bore into hers. Why did he have to be so damned good looking? It would be easier to find the words to speak if the sight of his handsome face didn't scramble up her thoughts like fluffy breakfast eggs. She didn't know whether it was his gorgeous, chiseled features or his grim countenance that started her stomach churning again. Both times she was in his presence her nerves jangled like church bells. She clenched her fists at her sides, digging her nails into the soft flesh of her palms and hoping the pain would force her to focus.

"Professor Kingston," she said, leveling her gaze on him, "I want you to know right up front that I didn't break any rules, spoken or written."

"Really?
You didn't break any rules?" His voice was full of incredulity. "Andrew was outside. Andrew was in the pool. Andrew had a playmate." One eyebrow
raised
mockingly as he asked, "Did you, or did you not, see Andrew take a dose of his asthma medication just two seconds ago?"

Cassie pressed her lips tightly together. This man would never believe her if she told him Andy hadn't used his inhaler all weekend. She had no desire to be called a liar on top of everything else.

"Yes, Andy was outside," she said, determined to remain composed. "But the list of restrictions did not stipulate that he was
never
allowed outside." Her voice became tighter. "Yes, Andy was in the pool. But swimming was not restricted."

He looked as though he were about to speak, but she shot him a look that told him she wasn't finished, and although his jaw muscle worked in agitation, he waited. Astonishingly, Cassie found the tiny movement extremely sexy and she had to concentrate on what it was she had meant to say.

"Um, and yes, Andy had a playmate," she went on. "But Eric is not one of the neighborhood children. He's my brother. And you did give your permission for him to visit."

"
That
is the operative word here," he said.
"
Visit
.
I gave my permission for your brother to visit, not move in." He tilted his chin abruptly and asked, "Just how old
are
you, anyway? Your brother looks about Andrew's age. You look awfully old to have a brother so young."

"Why, thank you very much, Professor Kingston," Cassie said caustically.

"No, no–" He reddened, apparently realizing too late how offensive his words sounded. "I didn't mean to say you look old, only that you seem too old... only that your brother is..." His voice trailed off in hopeless frustration and he shook his head.

Cassie looked away. When she turned back to face him, she had the well-practiced explanation on the tip of her tongue. "I'm twenty-four years old. My mother became pregnant late in her life. She died two years ago when Eric was six, leaving me Eric's guardian."

Her chin lowered a fraction, but her eyes remained focused on his. "So, you see, Professor Kingston, if I keep this job, and I realize that it's a very big if,
then
Eric must stay with me."

Joshua Kingston nodded slowly. "I agree with you."

Cassie couldn't hide her surprise. "That Eric should stay with me?"

"That
your
keeping this job is a very big if."

Her spirit plummeted.

Finally, he said, "I really have to question your judgment. Taking those boys into that pool when none of you can swim was dangerous, and it was stupid."

Although Cassie bristled at his choice of words, she willed herself not to respond. Her extreme sensitivity to derogatory remarks made about her intelligence was her problem, not his.

"You don't understand–" she began.

"It was more than stupid," he continued heedlessly. "It was asinine."

"But I can swim."

His lips twisted derisively and he nodded. "Sure, you can."

Cassie clamped her jaw shut and ground her teeth together to keep from spitting some horrible rejoinder at him.

Anger smoldered in her chest. She knew he had no idea of what was happening here; that she was an excellent swimmer, that Andy and Eric had been perfectly safe, that Andy hadn't needed or used his medicine in two days. But she couldn't help feeling damned offended by this man's presumptuous manner. She'd thought intelligent, deep-thinking men such as Professor Joshua Kingston were supposed to be open-minded.
That they were supposed to gather all available information before making a definite decision about things.

Her eyes narrowed as she gathered her wits about her. It wouldn't do for her to tell the man off. She wanted to suggest he take a long walk off a short diving board. But he was Mary's nephew, if nothing else. She was about to lose this job, she was certain of it. So she quickly made her own decision; she'd quit before he had the chance to fire her. At least that way she could salvage some of her dignity.

"Professor Kingston, I understand that you wouldn't want to leave your son under the care of someone whose judgment you can't trust." She picked up the worn terry robe she'd brought down to the pool with her and slipped her arms into it. "I'll pack up our things, and Eric and I will be out of your way as quickly as we can." Pulling the ends of her belt, she made a tight knot. "I'll call Mary about moving back into my old apartment."

Without waiting for his response, Cassie turned and walked quickly toward the house, certain that she couldn't bear another of his insults without telling him how stupid and asinine
he'd
been for jumping to conclusions about her and the situation.

Joshua stared at Cassie Simmons's back as she marched across the grass and he fought to control his emotions. It was rare for him to lose his temper, but saving Cassie from drowning had shaken him more than he'd realized. What might have happened if he hadn't been here? The answer to that question staggered his imagination.

He raked a hand through his wet hair and shoved the thought from his mind. He sighed, tugging at his soggy trousers. This was one suit he'd never wear
again,
the chlorine pool water had irrevocably ruined it. He could feel the summer-weight wool shrinking as he stood there.

He sighed again, this time even deeper. Glancing across the lawn, he saw Cassie disappear through the beveled-glass French doors. So, she was moving out. She was going to pack her bags and leave his life forever.

Why did that thought bother him so damned much? He didn't even know the woman other than the little Aunt Mary had told him. He'd spent barely a quarter of an hour with her on Friday afternoon. How could a woman crawl under a man's skin in fifteen minutes' time? It was absolutely ludicrous.

But Cassie Simmons had surely ruled his thoughts the whole weekend. He'd hardly been able to concentrate on his seminar. Those jewel-blue eyes of hers had preyed on his mind until he'd felt he'd been possessed. And the dreams he'd had! The lustful images– hell, who was he kidding? Those dreams had been downright erotic. He hadn't experienced the like since his randy teenage years.

Joshua shivered in the sudden breeze. He needed to go change, but for some reason his feet were as heavy as lead. And he felt as though he had a lump of the stuff in the pit of his gut.

He knew Cassie Simmons's leaving was for the best. She never would have worked out as Andrew's nanny. What had Aunt Mary been thinking to recommend such an irresponsible and presumptuous woman for the job in the first place? Imagine Cassie bringing her brother here to live! He did have to admit, however, that he hadn't given her the chance to finish her sentence when she'd mentioned her brother on Friday. Still, though, she'd surely jumped the gun on that issue.

And she had allowed Andrew access to the pool. He knew for a fact that swimming was on the list of restrictions. He'd compiled a new list himself just before he'd left, after he'd remembered that the last nanny had ripped the old one into a dozen ragged pieces. Andrew wasn't supposed to be in the pool. He could have become overexerted, could have suffered a severe asthma attack.

No, Cassie Simmons was not the person he was looking for as a nanny for his son. He'd pay her for her work this past weekend and let her get on with her life. Why, though, did he have this sinking feeling that he was going to be missing something special by never having the chance to know her? Joshua merely shook his head, refusing to listen to the less intellectual aspects of his psyche that, he suspected, were trying their damnedest to influence him. They were called basic instincts for a reason.

After squishing his way to the house, he slipped off his sodden shoes by the door and made his way to the staircase. Passing the library, he heard Cassie's voice.

"Oh, no, Mary.
You didn't."

Joshua stood at the bottom of the steps and cocked his head as he blatantly eavesdropped.

"But how did you find another tenant so quickly?" Cassie asked. "It's only been two days." After a slight pause, she murmured, "It is in a great location. I can't argue with that."

If his aunt had rented out the apartment that meant Cassie would be in a bind. She'd have to scramble to find a place for her and her brother to go. He felt an odd quiver in his chest and couldn't decide if elation or sympathy was the cause.

"I most certainly do not want you to say a word to him," Cassie said.